Syrian rebels leave Lebanon to return home

In the second phase of repatriation, over 3,000 Syrian refugees and militants have crossed the Lebanese border to return to their country where they will benefit from amnesty and return to normal life.

The repatriates, including 350 militants, were escorted on Monday by Lebanese armed group Hezbollah to nearby towns in Syria's Qalamoun region, the Guardian reported.

Earlier this month, more than 7,000 Syrian refugees, fighters and their families were transfered to Idlib province in northern Syria.

"Thirty-four buses transporting hundreds of Saraya Ahl al-Sham Brigades gunmen and their families left Lebanon for the Syrian territories," Xinhua quoted the Directorate of the General Security as saying.

"Patrols from the security agency convoyed the departing buses, in coordination with the Lebanese Red Cross," he added.

The security chief confirmed the departure of gunmen who had occupied parts of the Lebanese territories on the outskirts of Arsal, following deals made after negotiations between different factions in concern.

Hezbollah media said for its part that the vehicles took the same path as the ones that transported former al-Qaida affiliate al-Nusra Front militants from a restive border area in the outskirts of Arsal early in August.

The evacuation of the militants was scheduled on Saturday, but it was delayed due to "logistical issues" related to the means of transport.

As part of the deal between Hezbollah, the Lebanese negotiator General Security Chief Abbas Ibrahim and the rebel group, the fighters would head to the government-held town of Ruhaiba, about 50km northeast of the Syrian capital Damascus.

There they will benefit from an amnesty by the regime and return to normal life.

The evacuation deal follows a military offensive by Hezbollah and Syrian troops during which they captured border areas between the two countries and left hundreds of Nusra fighters besieged in a small rugged mountainous area.

The battle ended with a ceasefire and an exchange deal that saw the release of three Hezbollah soldiers captured by al-Nusra militants.

--IANS

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